The Save Our Seas Foundation

[Your Name Here] — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:57:08 +0000

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is a non-profit organization that implements and supports a diversity of scientific research and educational projects focused on the marine environment. It aims to learn more about the role of marine species, particularly sharks and rays, and their role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Through this knowledge it hopes to raise awareness of the state of our oceans, educate the public about saving our seas, especially the consequences of removing sharks and rays from the world’s oceans, support natural marine resource preservation and conserve the marine realm.

In today’s conservation climate the majority of marine research funded in Africa is socio-economic and fisheries based. Rarely are scientists given support to focus purely on apex predators and this is where the SOSF plays a vital role. With the global population of sharks surviving at a mere 5% of their level 20 years ago, sharks and their habitat are in desperate need of protection. Knowledge about their movements and habits will aid in their conservation and survival. Internationally, the year 2008 is recognized as being the Year of the Reef. The attention that sharks receive from this publicity should be equaled to that of coral, as the top predators on a reef the presence of sharks is essential in providing reef health and stability.

I am working with the Save Our Seas Foundation on their publicity and public relations. This sees me on the conservation frontline, raising awareness and educating the world about the importance and relevance of marine and shark conservation.

Save Our Seas Shark Centre (SOSSC), Kalk Bay, SA

[Your Name Here] — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:48:35 +0000

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is coming to town! Opening in May 2008 Kalk Bay will be hosting the Save Our Seas Shark Centre (SOSSC).
Having been active in Southern Africa for five years the non-profit marine conservation organization will be materializing its presence in South Africa with offices and an education centre that will be a visible reminder of the importance of the sharks in our ecosystem and the integral role they play in the health and diversity of our oceans. Its mission statement is quite simply to ‘Rethink the Shark’; encouraging people to see sharks in a different light, it aims to stimulate awareness and a sense of wonder of the diverse beauty of these top predators. Dr Leonard Compagno, internationally recognized as being one of the world’s top shark scientists, will lead the scientific research for the SOSSC. The SOSSC will focus on shark research and conservation and become the central hub for international collaboration of all SOSF shark research projects and marine education and awareness initiatives. www.saveourseas.com

Africa Geographic published one of my tiger shark images and the above paragraph about the SOSSC in the April 2008 issue.